There was an awkward moment for Rory McIlroy on Friday night when the song ‘Sweet Caroline’ began playing over the PA system during halftime at the Ulster vs Connacht rugby match.

The Irish golfer was in the middle of a television interview with the BBC when the Neil Diamond song began playing.

The Irish Independent reports that the 25-year-old Ulster supporter smiled sheepishly, looked down at the ground, and said, “Oh dear.”

McIlroy ended his engagement to former world No 1 tennis player Caroline Wozniacki in May. He won the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth that same week and went on to three straight victories in The British Open, the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational in Ohio and the USPGA Championship in Kentucky.

As for now, McIlroy is enjoying some time off.

"I'm in my off-season so I can enjoy myself, enjoy my Christmas dinner and have a few drinks," he said.